Month: September 2024

CBSA Issues Suspension of Removals to Lebanon

On September 27, 2024, CBSA announced an administrative deferral of removals to Lebanon (ADR).

This is a general stay against removals to Lebanon under s. 230 of the immigration Regulations. It does not apply to persons who are inadmissible on security grounds, grounds of violating human or international rights, sanctions, grounds of serious or transborder criminality, organized criminality, or exclusion under the Refugee Convention.

The other places under an ADR are certain regions in Somalia (Middle Shabelle, Afgoye, and Mogadishu), the Gaza Strip, Ukraine, Syria, Mali, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Libya, Yemen, Burundi, Venezuela, Haiti, Iran, and Sudan.

As yet, there are no specific programs in place for nationals (citizens) or residents of Lebanon. However, remaining in Canada when there is an ADR preventing removal can be grounds for a work permit under s. 206(1)(b) of the Regulations.

Legal Aid Certificates Reminder

If your case is covered by a Legal Aid Ontario certificate, it is your responsibility to make sure that your certificate remains valid and up-to-date.

If you receive a communication from Legal Aid, you must respond to it promptly.

Your lawyer cannot bill Legal Aid for their services – and will have to bill you – if your certificate is cancelled or invalidated.

However, as long as you do have a certificate, your lawyer cannot accept any money from you, or from a third party, about your case.